Delaware Sportsbooks + Sports Betting Sites

Delaware has the historical distinction of being the first state outside of Nevada to offer fully-legal single-game (aka “Vegas-style”) sports betting. When the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA, 1992) was overturned by the Supreme Court in May 2018, Delaware – the First State – was the first state out of the gate to open land-based sports wagering to the general public. On June 5, 2018, just three weeks after the Supreme Court finally struck down PASPA, Delaware took its first legal sports bets.

In fact, even before PASPA was struck down, Delaware was one of the most gambling-friendly states in the country. Indeed, lottery-style sports betting parlays were grandfathered under PASPA for DE, so it’s always courted sports wagering after a (very limited) fashion. Additionally, because the state lotto already had nominal purview over sports wagering thanks to that old exemption, DE didn’t require a new set of laws to legalize and regulate sports betting. In effect, the Delaware Lottery simply added a new product to its repertoire: full-service sports wagering.

Still, this doesn't mean that anything goes in the state of Delaware. There remain several legal nuances that you need to know in order to make your wagers in accordance with the law when betting on sports in Delaware, and it’s important to understand the difference between a state-sanctioned local sportsbook and the offshore betting sites that have been serving DE for decades.

Is it Legal to Bet on Sports in Delaware?

Delaware, as we have mentioned, does have a legal sports betting industry. In fact, the state regulates several sportsbooks that serve the needs of local players. These sportsbooks include those at the Delaware Park Racetrack (aka the Casino @ Delaware Park), Dover Downs (aka Dover Downs Hotel & Casino), and Harrington Raceway (aka Harrington Raceway & Casino). The three sportsbooks at these venues allow residents to make wagers on their favorite teams and engage in the excitement that sports betting can create.

But there are illegal aspects to sports betting in the state of Delaware. Players who make bets via United States-based bookmakers that aren't regulated by the state or that are operated in a state that outlaws sports betting can face criminal prosecution. This is why, when it comes to Internet-based sports betting, players are encouraged to trust in legal, offshore bookmakers that have solid reputations for both quality betting opportunities and customer service. These sportsbooks, several of which are reviewed below, are favorites among DE players in the online sports betting industry.

Indeed, right now, these are the only sportsbooks that you, as a DE-based bettor, can wager with over the Internet. While Delaware-based domestic Internet sports wagering is legal, no such service has yet been rolled out by the state lottery. Further, there is no real indication when the state will actually undertake to offer this sort of wagering platform. As such, if you wish to participate in online sports wagering, your options to do so are comprised entirely of offshore sportsbooks.

As we have discussed, making a wager online can be risky if you trust a sportsbook that is based in the United States but that isn't among the list of regulated bookmakers in Delaware. Because the laws surrounding online gambling are so different from one state to the next and because it isn't always clear where sportsbooks are headquartered, it is best to stay away from US-based online gambling altogether until such a time that an official Delaware Lottery sportsbook launches in the state.

So, where does that leave you in terms of your Internet-based sports betting options? The best way to engage in this gambling activity is to join an offshore, legal bookmaker that is a highly trusted member of the industry. Because you will be sharing sensitive financial information with this organization, it is essential that you choose a reputable sportsbook that you can trust—not just the first one that pops up on Google when you conduct a search. The bookmakers listed below are wonderful resources for today's online players.

Where Can Delaware Residents Bet Sports Online?

When it comes to online sports betting, we cannot underscore enough the importance of keeping your information safe and only trusting sportsbooks that have established themselves as leaders in the industry. When choosing a bookmaker, look for one that offers ample gambling options, provides a high degree of customer service, and creates a fun, exciting community that you enjoy. The following bookmakers are great places to start in your search for the perfect sportsbook for your betting needs.

BetOnline is the premier Delaware sportsbook, with tens of thousands of DE residents using this renowned betting site on a daily basis. BetOnline has been taking bets from DE sports fans for decades, and they’ve always got the earliest lines and freshest odds on all your favorite collegiate and professional sports. You can even wager on international matchups, including league soccer, rugby, cricket, and more. And though DE has renowned racetracks of its own, you can also participate in international horse racing betting at BetOnline.

For Delaware residents that join this award-winning sportsbook today, BetOnline will give you a choice in bonus perks to apply to your account. You can opt for BetOnline’s 50% Welcome Bonus, which matches your very first deposit by up to $1000 (promo code: “BOL1000”). If depositing with Bitcoin or another supported cryptocurrency, you can choose the 100% deposit match bonus, also worth up to $1000 (promo code: “CRYPTO100”).

SportsBetting is probably the second most popular betting site in Delaware, boasting almost as many current members as BetOnline. In some ways, the books are very similar, but SportsBetting actually outshines BetOnline by offering its members the most deposit and withdrawal options of any book in the industry. You can fund your account in over a dozen different ways, including American Express (which is rarely supported by major books). Of course, the best, most reliable way to deposit at SportsBetting is to use Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Litecoin, Ethereum, or DASH. These are near-instant methods, and if you deposit via crypto, you can also withdraw via crypto, which means you’ll get same-day payouts.

If you sign up at SportsBetting today, you can choose from a number of valuable bonuses, enroll in the site’s points program, and even claim “reload” bonuses for life (25% match up to $1000 for every single new deposit, promo code: “FORLIFE”).

If you want the most actual wagering options – and the biggest betting variety on all the games you care about – you’ll want to join 5Dimes. While it doesn’t boast the flash and panache of other books, 5Dimes is the best sports betting operator around when it comes to the sheer scope of what they offer on their odds boards. With alternate lines out the wazoo – and with their Reduced Juice program – you will always have more bets to make and more money to win at 5Dimes.

If you live in DE, 5Dimes is currently running a promotion that is good for up to $520 to put towards your initial sports betting bankroll. There is no promo code required for this perk. Instead, if you want to have your free-plays applied to your first deposit at 5Dimes, simply make the deposit and shoot customer service an email requesting the perk. You will see the bonus bucks credited to your account within 24 hours.

BookMaker is the most niche sportsbook on our list, and it’s been that way for the entirety of its 30+ year history serving Delaware residents. BookMaker was one of the first Internet sportsbooks on the scene, and it’s considered the oldest, most distinguished book in the industry today. At BookMaker, it’s never been about the bells and whistles. Indeed, for many serious sports bettors, the only bells and whistles that matter are the ones they buy with their payouts. And that’s BookMaker’s philosophy.

BookMaker has for many years been the number-one Internet sports betting destination for high rollers, and the site definitely caters to these players. They have the highest deposit limits, wager limits, and payout limits of any top betting site, after all. That said, the book is also great for first-time bettors and those who want to wager small amounts on their favorite contests. When you join BookMaker, you can also score the industry’s only CASH BONUS, which matches your first deposit by 15% (up to $600. Because this bonus is for cash and not free-plays, the perk is more versatile, and rollover requirements are a breeze to meet.

MyBookie launched in DE less than 5 years ago, but in that time, the site’s made a huge splash in the online sports betting scene. With a laser-like focus on US sports, MyBookie only covers American favorites like NFL and NCAA football, NBA and NCAA basketball, the MLB, the NHL, and various high-profile combat sports (boxing + MMA). Because the site dispenses with international events, it can minimize the risk on less familiar sports and pass the savings along to its many thousands of DE members.

If you sign up at MyBookie now, you can use promo code “MYB50” to have your first deposit matched by 50%, all the way up to $1000 in free-plays. This deal carries a 10X rollover requirement, so if that’s a bit too steep for you, you can always accept the site’s $20 risk-free bet, which is perfect for new bettors of all kinds. MyBookie’s reload bonuses are also some of the most attractive in the marketplace, as they get you up to $500 every time you deposit fresh funds into your account. The reload bonus at MyBookie comes with a favorable 5X rollover, too!

As we have previously discussed, Delaware is just one of a handful of states that offers legal, regulated, land-based sports betting to its residents. As such, the state oversees three sportsbooks that cater to a long list of gambling interests; however, online sports betting is limited in the state. For this reason, it is important that players who are looking for an Internet-based sportsbook know that they should turn to legal, offshore bookmakers that have positive reputations. By using the sites listed in the previous sections, you can engage in online gambling without worrying about the security of your financial information, and you can rest assured that payouts are always prompt and guaranteed.

You can explore Delaware’s sports wagering laws here, though there isn’t all that much to look through. It’s interesting to note that the Delaware Code does not mention anything regarding “Internet,” “online,” “sports,” or “bookmaking” in its gambling laws, with the only strict prohibition being thrust upon those who are in the business of “advancing gambling.” You can also read specifically about the DE Sports Lottery rules and regs here.

As a result of the totality of these laws, it is clearly legal for DE residents to use Internet-based sports betting sites provided they are located outside of US jurisdiction. Online books such as the ones featured on this site remain absolutely beneficial to the majority of DE residents. You can wager on all types of sports and are not limited to land-based venues and long drives just to do so. So even with legalized sports betting in DE, if you want to bet on sports without limits, offshore online sportsbooks are the answer.

While Delaware will be instituting regulated online sports betting in the future now that PASPA is kaput, the state is currently not regulating any online activity in terms of gambling. The nature of the Internet makes it extremely difficult to regulate in a traditional sense, as information is coming into websites from across the globe and the jurisdiction of countries over Internet-based activity is not well-defined. For this reason, there is no single governing body that oversees the activity of online sportsbooks.

Don't let this scare you, though. Instead, see it as a warning to choose a bookmaker that is reliable, trustworthy, and highly regarded, such as one of the operators that we have reviewed above. By sticking with these sportsbooks, you can ensure that you have a wonderful experience betting online.

Current State Of Online Sports Betting In Delaware

Countless Delaware residents enjoy sports betting both online and at land-based locations. Because Delaware is one of only a handful of states in the country to legalize sports betting in regulated, land-based environments, it is a very important part of the state's identity and economy. But this doesn't mean that residents of Delaware are stuck with only land-based sports betting opportunities. Legal, offshore bookmakers are wonderful resources for players who don't want to leave the house to place a bet. If you are thinking about getting in on the online sports betting scene, check out the sportsbooks reviewed above for a great gambling experience!

As far as state-regulated Internet sports wagering hosted by the Delaware Lottery, this is definitely on the horizon. However, the agency has not been forthcoming with any plans to launch, and there is no timeline to indicate when such a service will finally be available. Thus, you’ll want to use a legitimate, long-established offshore sports betting site in the meantime. Heck, you might even find that the offshore books are better for your particular wagering needs than DE’s dedicated Internet book will be whenever it finally rolls out to the public.

Delaware Online Sportsbooks FAQ’s

Much Does An Online Sportsbook Membership Cost?

Even with all of the exclusive offers and added benefits, online sportsbooks are 100% free to join. There will never be membership fees at reputable online sports betting sites.

Is A New Credit Card Authorization Form Required Every Time I Make A Deposit?

No, only one credit card authorization form is required per credit card. Once you have filled out and submitted the form, you will be preauthorized for all subsequent deposits made with the same credit card. Online sportsbooks require this information to protect your account from fraudulent activity and theft.

Do Bitcoin Sportsbooks Offer Mobile Betting?

Bitcoin sportsbooks offer all of the great features that you would expect, including mobile sports betting. With BTC sports betting sites, you can even make BTC deposits from your iPhone, Android, Windows Phone, or BlackBerry device within minutes. You have the same wide selection of sports and plenty of wagering options so that you can win big on your favorite teams. Most mobile betting platforms will not require any separate download – just visit the site address from your smartphone or tablet and you will automatically be redirected to the mobile betting platform. It is completely free to use a mobile sports betting app, and some online sportsbooks will even offer exclusive mobile promotions.

Is There A Difference Between Land-Based And Online Offshore Sportsbooks In Delaware?

While land-based sportsbooks have become a fan favorite in Delaware, there are a few rules that limit them compared to the online offshore alternative. For example, land-based casinos that offer sports betting in DE have not yet unveiled mobile apps so you are restricted to driving to their properties and placing your bets in person. You are also limited in the number of sports you can bet on, your wagering types, and the amount of deals you can receive. All of these are the opposite when using an online offshore sportsbook in DE.

What Is The Legal Age To Bet On Sports In Delaware?

Delaware was one of the few states that actually legalized sports betting before the repeal of PASPA. In their laws, they restricted the activity to only those 21 years old or older. Online offshore sportsbooks will normally accept players as young as 18, however, it is always wise to stick with the gambling ages set by your state government.

Why Did My Bank Deny My Online Offshore Sportsbook Deposit?

If you are using your DE bank to process your deposits then this might be a rare occurrence. This is because of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006. The UIGEA is a federal law that essentially prohibits non-exempt financial institutions from accepting funds coming from unregulated websites. All of the online sportsbooks we recommended are aware of this law, which is why they provide multiple ways to deliver your winnings no matter where in Delaware you live.

Can I Use Another State’s Online Betting Sites?

While it may be tempting to use an online sportsbook that’s housed a few states over from Delaware, it is not lawful. Doing so would mean violating the Wire Act, which is a federal law. The DE lottery will allow the state’s casinos to offer mobile betting, they just have not released a platform yet. Until then, the only safe betting sites to use are the ones located in other countries.

Are There Any Fees For Signing Up To An Online Sportsbook In Delaware?

There are no hidden fees (or any other kind!) for signing up to an online offshore sportsbook, and there is no limit to the number of sites you can join. Land-based sportsbooks in DE oftentimes come with hidden costs such as the gas money it takes to get there, food and drink bought there, and weighted lines on local sports teams. This is not something you have to worry about when using the sportsbooks we recommend.